Pay It Forward: perks of being nice

Whenever I buy clothes, I always take them off the hangers and fold them up into a neat little pile with the price tag on top. I’ve never been a checker (or a chess piece, for that matter), but this process does two things: it gets me out of line faster and I think it helps the frazzled workers become a tad bit less frazzled. At least while they scan my items.

The other day, Dear Daughter and I bought some clothes–okay, it was a shopping spree. I don’t generally buy anything for myself because I despise shopping, but on this particular day, DD and I splurged on 23 items. Yep. twenty-three hangers, twenty-three price tags and seven of those annoying little you-can’t-steal-clothes tags that have to be surgically removed.

I folded and stacked. At the end, the check out lady asked if I would like to use my Store Card. Nope. Don’t have one. Want one? You can save 20% today. Nope. DH has one. He’s in the car and his card is in the kitchen drawer an hour away.

Nice Check Out Lady was so thankful for my help, she swiped me the twenty percent anyways. I saved $55.00 just for folding clothes while I waited in line.

Pay it forward.

Writing works that way too. An act of kindness often begets good will. In the end, everyone can benefit.

Over on Agent Query Connect, I’ve been blessed enough to read and be read. Critique and be critiqued. Support and be supported. Whenever I get the opportunity to lend a fellow scribe a hand, I do. Occasionally time and real life get in the way, but often, I’m able to give a little bit of what I’ve been given.

6 responses to “Pay It Forward: perks of being nice”

That’s a neat thing to do. I’ll have to remember it. Outside of writing, I always try to make sure to keep track of other drivers and what they could possible need to do on a moment’s notice so I’m prepared. Makes for safer driving!

Writing-wise, I always try to do crits for those who ask. I’ve got a friend whose ten-ish daughter is an aspiring daughter and I’ve been helping her with suggestions, short cuts I wish I’d known back then and all around encouragement. Beta reads for authors, interviews for published authors. I LOVE posting blog stuff, contests, accomplishments like finding an agent.

It’s not just paying it forward; you could also call it advance social networking 400. LOL

Being kind in the writing community gets you out there as a genuine person, not just as a writer with a product to sell. This is a fabulous point to remember.

Not to mention it just feels right.

Another non-writing thing I do with my kids is to thank the mail carrier. We’ve been known to make little cards with a tiny treat and tape them to the mailbox. Somehow these tireless workers are often overlooked.

“It’s not just paying it forward; you could also call it advance social networking 400.”

Genius, Victoria!!

I like to build up good writing Karma when I can. For example: I’m not really ready for beta readers yet. BUT, I know the day is coming. SO, when a fellow writer puts out a request for Beta readers, I will often volunteer.

I figure, even if the people I read for can’t read for me when I need them to, I’ve amassed credit with the writing powers that be, and SURELY I will be able to get the help I need. Right? 😀

And yes, I think it works. The writing community as a whole is so supportive that I feel blessed to be a part of it. Yet even more important is your last line. Being nice does matter when it’s done from the heart and not out of expectation for returns.

I just joined Agent Query Connect today on your recommend. I’ll have to explore the site some more later. At the moment, I’m clueless.

As for paying it forward – Always. If for no other reason than I feel better about myself. I’ve been helping a couple writers along and I’m finding they’re there for me too. I think the idea of a solitary writer is becoming a myth. I know my journey has been so much easier having other writers around to share the journey with. (Hugs)Indigo

It always amazes me how many writers live by this idea. I think it’s so great that so many are willing to support each other along the way. Thanks for being part of that journey for other writers. They are truly blessed to have you as a friend and guide.

Words to Live By

"The concept behind personal integrity is wholeness. When a person is the same without as within, when what others know about him is the same truth he knows about himself, he has integrity." ~William Backus

Blogging Schedule

Monday-Wednesday-Friday...unless life gets in the way.

I am a writer whose heart beats for juvenile literature. As a mother of four, a devoted wife and the half-owner of two hunting labs, I find more novel fodder on any given day than dust bunnies under the fridge.

catwoods.writer@gmail.com

From my blog to your inbox.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Cat 4 Kids~ A Captain's Blog

I love dreaming. I love meeting people and having strange adventures. I love flying and inventing amazing things. I love being able to solve any problem. I love being funny and happy and good at everything I do. Dreams grant us super powers and give us things we want. But what happens when the nightmares […]